Public defender in Brevard courtroom scuffle resigns

VIERA — The assistant public defender who scuffled with a judge in the hallway of a Brevard County courtroom has resigned.

In a resignation letter submitted Monday, Andrew Weinstock says he disagrees with his boss’s support of Judge John C. Murphy returning to the bench after a leave of absence following the June 2 altercation.

Murphy returned last week and was reassigned to handle civil cases in Titusville.

Public Defender Blaise Trettis told Florida Today that it would be hypocritical to argue against Murphy being given a second chance. He says defense attorneys routinely plead that their clients should have a shot at redemption when “their behavior is uncharacteristic of who they are and is an isolated instance in their life.